Donations sought for Milford fire victims

Neighbors and best friends of the Wing family, whose Oak Tree Drive home was destroyed in a Sunday-morning fire, are collecting donations for the family of five.

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Posted Apr. 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 9, 2013 at 9:04 AM

By Lindsay Corcoran/Daily News staff

Posted Apr. 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 9, 2013 at 9:04 AM

MILFORD

» Social News

Neighbors and best friends of the Wing family, whose Oak Tree Drive home was destroyed in a Sunday-morning fire, are collecting donations for the family of five.

“They’re like family to us, this is just so awful,” said neighbor Julie Johnson who, along with Tracy Burns, is helping collect items to assist the family.

Johnson said she saw the fire that just before 6 a.m. engulfed the two-story home on 12 Oak Tree Drive.

“I ran outside with blankets and clothes for them,” Johnson said. She said they lost everything in the fire, which left the home a total loss, according to fire officials.

Four people were at home when the fire started and were only able to escape because William “Buck” Wing woke up and got everyone out safely, including his wife Susan, 19-year-old daughter Courtney and 11-year-old son Jeffrey. The Wings have one other son who is away at college.

“He’s really the hero,” Johnson said of the father.

Jennifer Mieth, public information officer for the state Department of Fire Services, said Monday that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

“The fire did start on the front porch, which is why there was very little early warning,” Mieth said. “The family is very lucky they woke up and quickly got out to safety.”

Firefighters were able to rescue the family dog, but the cat, George, hasn’t been found.

Johnson said the outpouring of support to help the Wing family, who have lived in the home for 20 years, has been amazing.

“This is the family that loves this town, they have a heart the size of the state,” Johnson said. “If anyone deserves to have everything they lost replaced it is them.”

Items for the family are being collected at 8A and 8B Oak Tree Drive, including toiletries and groceries. Johnson said the most helpful donations are gift cards, especially to Kohl’s, Target, CVS and other stores in Milford.

Johnson said she is setting up a bank account with Bank of America for monetary donations. It should be set up by the end of the week, Johnson said.

The family is being assisted by the American Red Cross in an attempt to find temporary housing, likely in a local hotel.

Jessica Trufant contributed to this story. Lindsay Corcoran can be reached at 508-634-7582 or lcorcoran@wickedlocal.com. For Milford news throughout the day, follow her on Twitter @LacorcMDN.